In the Bible, an author named James described a certain type of faith as being a "dead faith". This is simply a profession of faith that lacks a true possession of faith. This would be a faith that does not save. The scriptures tell us that we should examine ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith. So how do we do that? What are the earmarks of genuine saving faith?

I've compiled a list of 17 questions we can ask ourselves to examine the faith that we claim to have. It's important to note that our answers need not be in 100% alignment with what Scripture says our answers should be. Sanctification is a process. These are simply some questions that we can ask ourselves for a spiritual examination. The only point that I would like to make is that if you find yourself consistently answering "No" to many of these questions, I would be concerned. You may be holding onto a "dead faith" that will not save you on judgment day. Jesus said that there will be many on that day who will say "Lord, Lord", and to which Jesus will respond, "Depart from Me, I never knew you." Don't be one of those people. Examine yourself, and if you fail the test, repent and believe.

1. Do You Have Love For God?

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." Matt 22:36-40

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Psalms 115:1

5. Do You Pray?

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. 1 Thess 5:17

6. Do You Have Selfless Love?

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1 John 3:17

7. Are You Seperated From The World?

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

8. Have You Experienced Spiritual Growth?

I (Jesus) am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

9. Are You Obedient?

"Not everyone who says to me (Jesus), 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matt 7:21

10. Do You Hunger For God's Word?

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3

11. Have You Experienced A Transformation Of Life?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Cor 5:17

12. Do You Enjoy Fellowship With God?

That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3

13. Are You Sensitive To Sin?

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 1 John 1:6

14. Have You Suffered Rejection Because Of Your Faith?

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Tim 3:12

15. Do You Love Other Christians?

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. 1 John 3:14

16. Do You Possess The Holy Spirit?

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 1 John 4:13

17. Do You Eagerly Await Christ's Return?

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3